It was a perfect clear warm evening and we toasted the event reading aloud our wedding vows we'd kept in our album all these years. Such wonderful food and company. We felt like a bride and groom again.
My parents as well as some very dear friends came to town for the occasion and stayed for a few days after. At about 2am on Monday morning Joel awoke - we think the cat, Kopi-o, woke him - to our house filling with wood smoke. He leaped into action and closed every window and checked Next Door to see where the fire was. Sonoma. We were safe but the smoke was thick and luckily with his fast movements hardly any of us even woke till the morning. At breakfast, amid the hum of air cleaners, we looked out on ash that almost seemed like snow falling. The 50mph winds had also dumped a shower of burnt 1-2" black twigs all over the ground in the night.
It's been hard to read the news each day. Fires breaking out all across Northern California and very seriously across the North Bay. People caught unaware in bed as freak high winds caused the fire to leap from one hilltop to the next. So many were never warned. Some evacuated and some never made it out. And the flames have marched on, continuing to destroy homes and take lives over the past six days. The most deadly forest fire in California's history and it's not over yet.
It's barely an hour away which in itself is a bit scary. But lets be real, there are a lot of things between us and the fires so those particular blazes aren't the reason I packed a "go bag" for each of us just in case. Marin and most of the East Bay have been issued a red flag warning. It happens quite a lot to us at this time of year. It means if anything sparks it will burn fast and threaten nearby communities and make evacuations extremely fast. So they issue these warnings to keep us on our toes. We have never really taken much notice in the past but this week each red flag has been sobering.
Air quality is a huge concern for us. Caelen has had eye irritation to the point of hives and blisters, Austen has a sore under his nose and we've all had a dry cough. We have those trusty n95 masks like the Singapore smog days of the past. The kids actually like their cute masks and we wear them whenever we have to go out. It does help.
Fairfax has been like a ghost town. Everyone heeding the health advisory and staying indoors. Schools have been closed due not only to air quality but also so many teachers were evacuated they can't run the schools safely.
We've taken some day trips out of the smoke and enjoyed some sunshine on Stinson Beach and around San Francisco. No matter where we go, no one's mind is really at peace. Every interaction with others begins with "is your family safe?" and exchanges of "good luck" replace "goodbye" in nearly every setting. We've talked to a lot of evacuees and have decided to open our own home to a family in need. Amazingly enough, I checked online and saw that there were hundreds of available homes willing to take in evacuees. It's heartwarming. As quickly as shelters post their needs online, I see follow-up messages saying "we're ok! No need for more stuff" as they are flooded with donations. There are still lots of needs to be filled but it's really important, with so many helping, to check the most up to date lists first!
Today is our first day of clear air. Some of the fires are contained - which is to say they aren't spreading but still burning. The death toll this morning was updated and will continue to climb. I hope the worst is over now. To all my friends around the Bay, I hope you are safe and good luck.
